Luvo Manyonga snatched victory in an error-ridden performance in the sandpit at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo, Netherlands on Sunday.
The world long jump champion battled with his run-up, recording four consecutive fouls before finally posting a result on his fifth attempt.
The no-jumps were carbon copies of each other as he planted his left foot wide on the plank and over the plasticine.
Manyonga’s fifth jump of 7.94 metres promoted him to third place, with Olympic champion Jeff Henderson of the United States leading the competition with a best jump of 8.15m.
With the South African in danger of suffering his first outdoor defeat since September 2016, he launched a final jump of 8.18m to claim the victory.
Luvo Manyonga takes the win in the men's long jump with his last jump 8.18m. 2nd Jeff Henderson 8.15m and 3rd Marquis Dendy 8.13. #IAAF #WorldChallenge #Hengelo #FBKGames #Trackandfield @TnFjunkie @lsabre_Avenger @JustSportsTweet pic.twitter.com/oZ7vjOriwU
— Miska (@M1ZKA) June 3, 2018
Manyonga leapt to a new world lead at last week’s Rome Diamond League with a winning jump of 8.58m.
Meanwhile, Eastern Cape sprinter Luxolo Adams raced to victory in the 200m event, dipping first in 20.34 seconds.
Adams produced a strong finish, beating Spain’s Bruno Hortelano by 0.01 seconds, with American Fred Kerley bagging bronze in 20.43.
Middle-distance athlete Rynhardt van Rensburg posted a new 800m personal best 1:45.15 to finish in sixth place. Kenya’s Jonathan Kitilit won the race by clocking 1:43.77.
Rynhardt van Rensburg (second from left) posted a new 800m personal best, while Kenya’s Jonathan Kitilit won the race. Photo: Vincent Jannink/EPA
One-lap sprinter Thapelo Phora was disqualified for a lane infringement after initially finishing fifth in the 400m with a time of 45.58.
Qatari athlete Abdalelleh Haroun won the race, posting a new meeting record of 44.35.
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